"Snickers that won't satisfy." but this book will. This was such an addicting, hits all the feels (happy, love, grief, hunger, sad, hunger), with ghosts and salt. It was so unique with Konstantin being able to "communicate" with loved ones by tasting a favorite a memorable meal of those around him. Made me think about what I would enjoy if I got one more Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with my grandparents.
The plot twist was not what I was expecting, truly kept me on my toes.

I appreciated the knowledge with the culinary arts because I dated a chef once upon a time and could see his reaction to the combinations.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the e-arc

I’m in between on how I feel about this one. The concept was really interesting, and wasn’t like anything I’ve ever read before. I had a hard time getting in to the book, but the last 35 percent flew by.

I enjoyed this book and its take on what happens after death. This is a great read for anyone who loves food and is imaginative. The food and tastes of different ingredients was very descriptive. You may feel snacky as a result of reading this! I enjoyed the interaction betweenI enjoyed this book and its take on what happens after death. This is a great read for anyone who loves food and is imaginative. The food and tastes of different ingredients was very descriptive. You may feel snacky as a result of reading this! I enjoyed the interaction between Kostya and his BFF. I felt his relationship Maura was rather insta-love, though she had her reasons for pursuing him. The most significant relationship throughout the book was the one Kostya had with his father. His pursuit to remake the dish that reminded him the most of his father was really touching and bittersweet. The ending was a bit unexpected, but overall I had a good time with the book.

Lavelle's prose is simply stunning; it's hard to believe this is a debut. I loved the complicated motivations and desires of Kostya and Maura. Their story will stay with me for a long time. Brava to the author!

I was completely drawn in by the premise of this food-forward novel about overcoming grief and with a splash of magical realism. It was a great debut read and one that many different types of readers will enjoy. Whether you’re looking for an entertaining read that will hold your attention on vacation or looking for more of an introspective narrative on working through loss and memories of loved ones, this one will fit the bill.

The story follows Kostya (Konstatin) after the loss of his father when he was ten years old. Ever since then, he’s been haunted by tasting the favorite foods of ghosts whenever one is nearby. Although he’s kept his “aftertastes” hidden for most of his life, Kostya eventually comes to discover the power that these flavors truly have - through recreating a ghost’s aftertaste exactly, he can bring that dead spirit back into our realm to meet the living that they left behind, but only while their loved one is still eating the special dish. As the rest of the novel unfolds, we see Kostya learn how to hone his craft as he works through the restaurant scene in NYC, meet side characters that add drama to the narrative, and more deeply understand Kostya’s goals and ambitions.

This one was certainly a fun ride and I was thoroughly entertained, but at times felt a bit like a “kitchen sink” book - it was parts romance, culinary fiction, family saga, magical realism, and even mafia themes all rolled into one. I found myself wanting a little more to hold onto instead of constantly changing lanes, which personally I don’t think is uncommon in a debut while the author is still trying to define their own style. I loved the illustration of how food has such a unique way of connecting us to our pasts, from memories to emotions to loved ones we lost along the way, and I often found myself reflecting on what my loved ones’ aftertastes would be. There is a decently large cast of characters that we meet throughout the pages, some of which can be hard to love at times, but it’s those same characters that brought the entertainment factor that I think was necessary to keep the book from venturing into too dark of a territory.

All in all, I enjoyed this very unique debut and how well it meshed together commentary on finding closure, life and death, cherishing memories and of course, excellent food. Definitely have some snacks ready if you’re going to pick this one up! 3.5 stars from me. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

For some reason, I thought this book was gonna be a silly goofy time, but it turns out that the only silly goofy thing was me, and this book is actually devastating, introspective, and truly unique.

Aftertaste starts with Konstantin losing his father at a young age, and then the way grief settles in him. He starts tasting a dish in his throat, so flavorful, but doesn't understand what it means. As he grows up, he receives more of these tastes, and finally acts upon one of them and makes the dish he's tasting for the client in front of him.

There is grief, so much loss, terror, depression, consequences, love, and betrayal in here. There are bad decisions, ghosts, ignorance, and determination. so much is going on it this book, and it is so so so well done. I was surprised by just how much I loved it. By about 25%, I didn't want to put it down. I recommend it to everyone, particularly those who enjoy sci-fi, and to those who enjoy reading about grief.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the e-ARC!

Four stars for this quirky novel. I knew I had to read it when I originally read the description. What I didn’t know was how emotional of a read it would be! It dragged a little and got a bit confusing for me in the middle, but the unique concept kept me reading and wanting to find out what was going to happen!

🧂 This will likely make you laugh, make you cry, and make you hungry. It’s been awhile since I read something this original— and it was a total hit for me. Thank you to @simonbooks for the sneak peek— this is out now (and there is talk it’s THE book of the summer!).

🧂 I would describe this as a literary romance with paranormal elements. Yes, there are ghosts, but this also tackles grief, love, and food’s ability to hold memories. I don’t want to spoil much— but it’s about a chef who can bring back the dead.

🧂There are some fantastical elements as well. The author envisions the afterlife and conditions surrounding that so you’ll have to be willing to embrace that and go with the flow.

🧂 Ultimately for me, this felt like a lesson in letting go, and moving forward. It’s one I’ll think about for a long time to come!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is the type of book I simultaneously want to devour in one bite, and savor like a fine wine. From the moment I started reading, I knew this book would be one of my new favorites because it combines my love of food, with magical realism, and the supernatural.

Just like the protagonist Kostya, I lost my father at a young age. The themes of grief, love, personal culture, friendship, and self discovery are ones I hold close. The author does an amazing job of describing these deep and heavy themes with delicious diction. Every adjective comes back to food, and leaves an impression that lingers long after, like the Aftertastes Kostya experiences. Five out of five stars.

Aftertaste totally surprised me in the best way. It’s a mix of food, ghosts, and grief, but somehow it works perfectly. The idea of someone being able to taste the favorite foods of the dead sounds a little out there, but Lavalle makes it feel emotional and real. Kostya is such a relatable character, trying to find peace while helping others do the same.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital book on exchange for my review.

4.5⭐️ This hit just right. Paranormal with romance and a fun concept of reuniting with loved ones that have passed but not moved on through food. In the synopsis, it says, “A food story to binge. A ghost story to devour. A love story to savor.”. I definitely agree.

Konstya’s father passed away, and it’s as if he haunting him. But this isn’t like things are moving or shadows being seen. Konstya is tasting their favorite foods. Not just his dad, but any ghost. He over time develops an idea to create a place where people can come enjoy food but also see their loved ones. Maybe Konstya can provide closure. But what if theirs more to it than that. What if there’s something bigger in the afterlife waiting to break free. A hungry so great, Konstya might lose everything.

Thank you to @netgalley @simonandschuster and @daria.lavelle.author for the advanced reader copy.

To all the readers embarking on reading this absolute journey of a book... Stick with it past Part 1. I think Lavelle does a good job of pulling you in with the beginning of Part 2, but honestly I was close to putting it down as Part 1 came to a close. The reason why being that the main character, Konstantin Duhovny, elicits at first sincere pity and then an undeniably strong sense of cringe. The woe is me of a grown man was hard to stomach for a couple of pages there. However, I am SO glad I stuck with it. This book is truly beautiful.

Lavelle hits hunger right on the head. She strikes her readers with the bottomless pit of need associated with loss. She paints a colorful adventure of a date night through New York City. She brings light to the little trophies taken and given by working in the food industry. Anything you could hunger for in life, Lavelle opens your senses to it. Genuinely left this book feeling full (okay maybe still have a craving for some varenyky).

Appreciation to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I can honestly say I’ve never read a book like this one. In this very imaginative tale a chef summons ghosts by preparing their favorite meal. The characters are well developed. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Daria Lavelle's Aftertaste blends magical realism, paranormal intrigue, and romance with a distinctive narrative style to explore the profound themes of grief, closure, and connection. It's a story unlike any you've encountered, where the culinary arts become a conduit to the spectral.

The novel introduces us to Kostya Duhovny, who immigrated with his parents from Ukraine to the United States. His adjustment was tough, and a morning argument with his father tragically becomes their last interaction before his father's unexpected passing. Overwhelmed by grief and regret, Kostya soon experiences his first "aftertaste” - phantom flavors of a ghost's favorite foods that appear only when a spirit is present.

This ability evolves in a surprising way: Kostya discovers that by recreating these "aftertastes" through cooking, he can temporarily reunite the living with their deceased loved ones, offering a chance for much-needed closure. Driven by a desire to help others navigate their grief and perhaps even find peace for himself, Kostya immerses himself in the competitive New York culinary scene.

However, his noble intentions soon lead him down a perilous path. As Kostya's unique "spirit cuisine" gains recognition, he finds himself in an increasingly dangerous situation, navigating not only the demands of the culinary world but also the unforeseen consequences of his extraordinary gift.

Ultimately, Aftertaste is a captivating exploration of the universal human hunger for connection, the bittersweet complexities of loss, and the lengths one might go to find satisfaction and closure, even if it means venturing into the unknown depths of the afterlife.

I laughed, I cried, and I devoured this book in a day. It felt kind of like Inside Out meets Elemental, for any Pixar fans.

I can’t wait to see what this author puts out next!

I really enjoyed this book. It's a tragic, descriptive, and uniquely moving story. Both Kostya and Maura were fascinating characters, and their raw, distinct approaches to grappling with grief and loss were particularly impactful. Daria's sensory descriptions of food and taste are simply stunning. The concept itself was incredibly fresh and original, making this a highly enjoyable read.

Thanks again to @simonbooks and @darialavalle for the finished copy!

3.5 stars
This book was very well written and the concept was so unique. It explored topics of love, grief, aspiration, sacrifice, friendship, loneliness and much more. The reason I’m rating this book a 3.5 is because it didn’t hold my attention as much as I would have hoped. Towards the end of the book, it was a bit more suspenseful, and I was excited to see what happened, but it wasn’t something that hooked me!

Aftertaste is so unique in that it’s a centered in the culinary world with a supernatural twist. There’s a love story, a deep tale of grief and the dangers that go along with the sprits that inhabit the otherworldly. It also explores our connections to food and the memories and emotions it evokes with certain people.
The other thing that is unique about this story is that the city of New York is basically another character. It is portrayed with so much love that it is hard not to see it as such, amd I think that is truly beautiful of the author. The main character, Konstantin, had such an incredible arc to him that it was hard to put the book down at times. I was rooting for him to get his happy ever after.
There’s something for everyone in this story-it’s a supernatural story but yet it had so many realistic elements that it feels like it could truly happen. The writing flowed smoothly and the plot twist shook Kostya’s story in the best way.
I didn’t know what to expect with this book amd I’m so glad I went in blind because I think it added to my enjoyment. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for this eArc in exchange for my review.

AfterTaste
By Daria Lavelle
Pub Date: May 20, 2025

In social settings, we are often challenged with a thoughtful ice-breaker question—If you could have a supper with anyone, who would it be? Most people pick someone famous but what if your heart’s desire is to eat a final meal with a family member who has passed too soon? What would you pay to make this fantasy meal happen? In Daria Lavelle, debut novel, everyone pays the ultimate price.

Konstantin Duhovny (Kostya) is a man with just such a wish. He wants to talk to his father one last time. A father who passed when Kostya was only ten years old. This wish is compounded daily with the fact Kostya can taste his father’s favorite meal-Pechora. The flavors: burnt chicken liver, onions, fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon, make his mouth water and his heart break. He longs to make this meal but can’t get the recipe right.

With the help and the cooking expertise of his friend, Frankie, Kostya realizes he can cook to make his wish come true and that of others too. He has a gift…a gift of a “taste connection” to the spirits who are also hunger for a final meal with a loved one.

Kostya’s charging jump into the culinary world of gastronome in NYC is a bumpy and dangerous path. Not only does he have to fight the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), tasting menus, exhausted nights, questioning staff, and gangster investors, but he must fight the very underworld he is so closely connected to.

The descriptions of the food in this book are other worldly and will whet the palette of the most avid foodie. I was left hunger with every page and after every bite. My taste buds danced among the carefully crafted words representing all the world’s flavors. They left me devouring the pages in a whirlwind of food, love, loss, grief, and heart’s desire.

The volatile relationship with Maura is heaven-sent and propels the story to another level. The sacrifices made by each character heighten the story to the heavens themselves.

I am not usually a fan of fantasy and the paranormal, but this book brings home what is truly important in life: love, family, friends, and what you are willing to give up for them. I loved the ending! It left me speechless and completely sated.

Five Stars! Available now!

Net Galley and Simon & Schuster have provided me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#AfterTaste
#YummyFantasyGhostsPananormal
#ATastyTreat
#MouthwateringDelight
#AvidFoodieLove

A charmingly dark saga rich with magical realism. Lavelle is a new author to watch and the perfect book to take on a reflective summer vacation.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the premise. The ghosts and the potential for closure were great plot points. But overall, there was too much going on. I did not like Maura or the insta-love in their relationship and this kinda took away from the ending for me. I did really like the twists that happened, especially with Frankie.